Last week we heard the horrible news that Father Jacques Hamel was beheaded at the altar of his church as those in attendance were forced to watch. He was not the first, nor will he be the last to suffer. Jesus declared,
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force (Matthew 11:12).
The kingdom of Heaven suffers violence when politicians are called to account for immorality & injustice. John the Baptist rebuked Herod for sexual immorality and corruption. For his prophetic words he suffered violence. He was imprisoned and eventually beheaded (Mark 6:17ff). The history of the church is filled with such martyrs. Dietrich Bonhoeffer dared to resist the Nazis and was hanged (1945). Archbishop Óscar Romero challenged the corruption of El Salvador’s leaders and was shot and killed at the altar (1980). We should remember that Jesus warned us that the world hates us because we represent him (John 15:18f).
The kingdom of Heaven suffers violence when God’s people make political alliances with ungodly powers. When Ahab and Jehoshaphat formed a military alliance Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet to inquire of the Lord about their success. There were many court prophets eager to bless the alliance. However, only one – Micaiah – dared to speak the word of God (cf. 1 Kings 22). Glancing at the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention I noticed Christian pastors and choirs at both events. It is a good thing for Christians to be present and speak prophetically to the leaders of our nation. However, it is a profane thing if Christians allow themselves to be manipulated by the political powers. God has not called us to be “court prophets”, i.e. prophets in service of the state (or party). God has called us to be faithful ambassadors of the kingdom of God. James warns us, “. . . do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?” (4:4).
The kingdom of Heaven suffers violence when the Gospel conflicts with religious & economic interest of the culture. Father Hamel was beheaded by Islamic extremist who see the Christian faith as a threat to their way of life. In truth, the message of Christ is a threat to this present age. Demetrius of Ephesus knew that the message of the gospel was a threat to the Temple of Artemis and would have a detrimental affect upon the local economy. He provoked the people and the infant Ephesian church suffered violence (Acts 19:23ff). Politics is a secular religion and political conventions are secular camp-meetings. They seek to protect their interests – slavery, abortion, etc. – which are all too often opposed to the kingdom of God.
The kingdom of Heaven suffers violence when Christians refuse to bow before the powers. The greatest temptation is power. Power is intoxicating. The great harlot – Babylon – and the kings of the earth are intoxicated with power. They are drunk on the blood of the saints (Revelation 17). It was with the power and glory of this present age that Satan sought to tempt Jesus. The politicians become idols to be venerated. Jesus rebuked Satan with the words, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only” (Matthew 4:8-10). Instead of bowing before the powers, we are to resist them, to wrestle against them (cf. Ephesians 6:12; James 4:7-9).
Don’t ever forget that the cross signifies the conflict between the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of heaven.
The rulers of this world crucified the Prince of Peace. This is what the rulers of this age do to prophets. The corrupt kings and princes cannot tolerate the Holy One of God. But, the cross also signifies God’s victory over the powers of this world! God vindicated the crucified Christ through the resurrection and ascension. The victorious Christ “disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them” (Colossians 2:15).
Finally, let us consider how we are to pray. What we pray reveals the priorities of our heart. Jesus told us to pray these words:
Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
This prayer will not allow us to play partisan politics, but places all the powers of this world in subjection to the kingdom of God!
